Hair drying apparatus



Feb. 7, 1950 A. NEWMAN 2,496,597

HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Feb. 7, 1950 A. NEWMAN 2,496,597

HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Filed April 4,1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ,4; cmndwfl ewma Patented Feb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Alexander Newman, Los" Angeles, Calif.

ApplicationApril 4, 194Z- Serial No. 739,337

Claims.

My invention relates to a means fordissipating moisture from any product and it has especial reference to a device for drying hair.

The prime object of my invention is to provide a simple means by which the drying of hair may 1,. 'be effected with far greater expedition than heretofore possible, without prolonged subjection of the hair to the evaporative process of heat andhence with complete comfort to the individual.

Heretofo-re, devices aimed' at drying hair, gen-.

erally have comprised a heating chamber in which are contained atone end the elements for drawing air thereinto through apertures in one end of the chamber, for heating the air so indrawn and for projecting the heated .air toward and through:

the open end ofthe chamber. The open end of the chamber is diametrically large enough amply to accommodate the hair covering the head and to provide an enveloping space between the sides of the head and the open endofthe heating chamber, through which the heatedair is discharged continuously after contacting thewet hair. The heat directed against the hair and passing from the chamber is of necessity high to vaporize the moisture in the hair inset in said I tion is in the immediate control of the party whose hair is being dried. A moderate-heat,

that is, a heat comfortable toendure'is insufficient to dry thehair within a reasonable time compatible with the patience of the individual,

who in consequence of the discomfort incident to ..a long subjection of the hair to heat, removes from the drier with the hair still wet.

An important objectof the invention, there I fore, is to provide a device by which the hair is dried in a thorough manner withina comparatively short space of time and without the danger of injuring the skin or incurring the discomforts heretofore related.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide a device in the nature of an attachment to any standard drying chamber, by which the heat "may be sealed therein and hence'caused to contact and be circulated through and about the hair only; while protecting theparts of thecranium notcovered by hair.

Other objects will appear from the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preierred'form of embodiment of my invention.

(Cli '349'0) 2 Fig. 3. is an enlarged, fragmentary section on .line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a sectional detail of a seal ring associated with a projection chamber. Fig. 5 is a plan section, substantially on the section line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but showing a modified form-of the invention, dotted lines indicating the retracted position of the sealing element.

Fig-6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, showing the components of the manually operable seal ring :of the modified form.

Fig. 7 is anenlarged fragmentary detail showing the front and rear adjunts, that are complementary to the lateral sections to complete the seal ring.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary front edge view of the sinuous or wavy form of the seal ring, when contracted to a smaller than normal diameter.

Thisv invention, in its generic sense, comprises a heating chamber, which may follow a conventionalor standard pattern and which has an open end for accommodation of the hair covering of a cranium. .The chamber issupported by a suita- ..ble adjusting means for adapting the same to the head. It is provided with a means for engaging the head substantially at or below the hair line, to seal the heat thereinand cause it to be concentrated on. and circulated in and about the lhair without coming into contact with the skin.

In a specific sense, and referring particularly to-the drawings, l indicates a cylindrical heating .chamber, provided with openings 2 in one end thereof, and with a heating element 3 and fan 4, a motor for the fan being shown at 5. The vother end .of said chamber l is open. Over the end of and outside said chamber 1 is fitted a body 6, that is provided with an internal seal ring 1 or bead of compressible material, by which the .body is held securely associated and in fluid-tight connection with said chamber l. The body 6 which is of sufficient elasticity to render it readily attachable to said heating chamber, may also be provided with an external seal ring -8 for engaging the innerperiphery of the heating chamber 'I,'where such an adaptation is preferred. In this latter event, at least the top of the body would be practically rigid. The cross-section of the body 6, as shown in Fig. 2, is substantially elliptic or oval to conform generally to the perimetral outline of the cranium and is diametrically larger than the cranium to respond to variations in. sizes, the oval or. elliptic outline conforming practically to the average shape of head. The bottom edge 9 of the oval or elliptic body 6 corresponds as nearly as may-t0 the general delineation defined by the hair of the head and following such delineation, is characterized by a succession of curveslfl, l I, I2 and I3, occurring on so difierent planes and representing a continuous ing the area of the head at substantially the demarking limits of the hair and confining the heat in the chamber l, to cause it to be directed against and through the hair only. Means I4 is a transversely disposed, substantially horizontal annulus or member i5, which may be of elastic, flexible or readily and easily compressible material, conveniently and comfortably deformable when brought into contact with the head to adapt itself to whatever regular or irregular surfaces encountered without undue pressure, and hence without annoyance to the individual. Normally this annulus or girt l5, lies retracted in the position shown in said Fig. 3, thereby yielding full freedom of placement of the body 6 over the head. This annulus or member I5 is movable in a horizontal plane toward and for contact with the head, and such movement may be effected by any suitable means within the control of the operator or of the person whose hair is being dried, and may be pneumatic or manual, as presently detailed.

Where the operation of said member is pneumatic, the member I5 is projected by a change in the cross-sectional area of a fluid pressure container it, both said member and the container i6 being disposed in a groove or recess ll of an ambient housing l8, that may be fitted or secured in any manner within the body 6. The groove or recess 5'! has a reduced circumferential opening l9 for projection or protrusion therethrough of the member or annulus [5, said reduced opening providing upper and lower shoulders 20 and 2|, for limiting the movement of the fluid pressure container it beyond the extent necessary for the projection of said member l5. By way of example, such a container It may be a tubular body of rubber or other suitable material, adapted to be supplied with a fluid to inflate same, through a pipe 22, connected to a suitable source, not shown. Because of the pliability of the container IE, it may be quickly and easily placed within the groove or recess I! in substantially the manner shown, with part of the body thereof resting against the rear vertical wall 23 of the groove, and upper and lower folds of the container lying against the top and bottom of the groove ll, while the annulus or member [5 is disposed between the folds and against a wall of the container H to which it may be attached to form an integral part thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, which illustrates the tube or container detached from the assembly and inflated. When the container is being inflated, the annulus or member l5, of cushioning and resilient quality, is gradually projected from the groove of the housing [8 into contact with the head at the hair margin, to seal the hair against any atmospheric unheated air from below, to prevent the escape of heated air from the heating chamber through the open end thereof and against the skin of the patron, and to confine and circulate the heat in and about the hair. Normally the annulus or member l5, when retracted within the housing I8, is in a flat horizontal plane, but when projected, the diametral circumference being thereby reduced, this pliable or conformable member may be deformed into a wavy outline, such as indicated in exaggerated view in Fig. 8, without however, interfering with the effectiveness of the seal. The undulation, however, of the periphery of this member when pressed against the head, is negligible, since the compression of the material, such as sponge rubber, by which it adapts itself to the contour of the head, occurs substantially in a horizontal plane; and where the compression limit of this peripheral edge is quickly reached, it is bodily displaceable against the sensitively yielding container.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the closure or seal that co-operates with the head is manually operable, and the instruments for accomplishing the manual sealing are accordingly sectionalized. As seen in Fig. 6, in the bottom of the body 6 and at or near the edge thereof, is fitted preferably in removable manner, a fiat ring 24, that is provided with opposed pairs of slots 25 and 2B. To this flat ring 24 is connected by bolts 21 and 28 a pair of opposed panels 29 and 30 through which pass the respective bolts 2'! and 28, threading thereon wing nuts 3| and 32 by which the panels may be moved toward and away from each other and then secured in position of adjustment by manipulation thereof. The bolts 2'! and 28 are freely movable in the slots 25 and 26 of the flat ring 24, and are prevented from turning therein, when the wing nuts are operated, by squared portions 33 and 34, which are disposed in the slots. The heads 35 and 36 of the bolts co-operate with the wing nuts to hold the bolts associated with the flat ring 24. The inner opposed edges of the panels 29 and 30 are substantially elliptic, and pliable or flexible as indicated by dotted lines A and B respectively, to adapt themselves to the contour of the head when moved into contact therewith in the manner and by the means described.

A front panel 31, disposed and operable horizontallly in aligned horizontal slots 38 and 39 in said panels 29 and 30, co-operates with an opposed rear panel 40, operable in aligned horizontal slots 4| and 42 in said panels 29 and 30, and with the arcuate edges of said panels, to provide the contour or outline of a head. For this purpose, the inner opposed edges of the front panel 31 and rear panel 40 are arcuate to complete the curve for an ovoid outline, which is more nearly suited to the contour of a head. When the heating chamber is placed over the head, these panels, that is the side panels and the end panels are moved into contact with the head and then secured in position, the side panels by means of the wing nuts 3! and 32 and the front and end panels by friction or by any suitable and conventional device. These front and end panels 31 and 40, respectively, are provided with flanges or handles 43 and 44, by which they may be moved to operative or inoperative position. The opposed edges of said panels 31 and 40 are respectively flexible, compressible and resilient, the area of resiliency being indicated by dotted lines C and D.

In operation, a continuous circulation of air induced into the chamber l and heated, is maintained and at a desired temperature, which is much higher than ordinarily employed in drying apparatus for this purpose, and this for the reason that the movement of the heated air within the chamber is one of continuous circulation and re-ciroulation of very, or relatively very hot air that is not reduced in temperature by the entry of cold air. Since a portion of the heated air is continuously discharged and replaced, the temperature is maintained either constant or in controllable range, and hence the time of effective drying is materially reduced, while the patron at no time is exposed to this heat, the degree of which may be sufficient to burn.

The drying device herein disclosed may be an integrated combination of heating chamber. and heat sealing means, or the heat confining means may be a separable unit attachable in manner described to any type and design of heating chamber.

Obviously the herein disclosed device is susceptible to many changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention, and While the device herein disclosed may be made as shown, of rubber, rubber-like, or insulating material, it will be understood that this body may be made of any material suitable for the purpose.

What I claim is:

1. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating therein a heating fluid, said chamber provided with a housing adapted to surround the head at substantially the hair line, a member disposed in said housing conforming substantially to the contour of the head at the hair line, and fluid pressure means to project said member relative to said housing and into contact with the head to confine all the heating fluid in said chamber to the hair.

2. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating a heating fluid therein, said chamber provided with a housing adapted to surround the head at the hair line, a compressible, resilient, substantially horizontally disposed annulus in said housing and normally free of contact with the head, and fluid pressure means to move said annulus into contact with the head to seal the heat in said chamber and confine it to the hair.

3. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating therein a heating fluid, said chamber provided with a housing adapted to surround the head at the hair line, said housing having a groove adjacent the outer edge of the housing, a compressible member in said groove normally free of the head, and fluid pressure means to displace said member in said groove against the head to confine the heating fluid to said chamber and the hair exposed therein.

4. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating a heating fluid therein and having an open end, a body having a fluid-tight connection with the end of said chamber, said body being substantially ovate in horizontal crosssection and the bottom edge of said body conforming substantially to the hair margin, a horizontal support inside of and around said bottom edge, and means on said support and slidable relatively thereto in a horizontal plane to engage the head at the hair line thereby to confine the heating fluid to the hair alone.

5. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating a heating fluid therein and having an open end, a substantially oval body having a fluid-tight connection with and projecting beyond said end, the bottom edge of said body being outlined in conformity with the hair margin around the head, a grooved support around said bottom edge, a flexible container in said groove, means also in said groove and operable by the cross-sectional enlargement of said container to engage the head and prevent the egress of heat below the hair line and means for infiating said container.

6. A hair drier comprising a chamber for circulating a heating fluid therein and having an open end, a substantially oval body detachably connected to said chamber and having fluidtight engagement therewith, the bottom edge of said body having an outline conforming to the hair margin around the head, a grooved support around said bottom edge, a compressible member in said groove, and exp-ansible means in said groove to move said compressible member into contact with the head.

7. An attachment for the heat circulating chamber of a hair drier, comprising a body provided with a seal ring for effecting fluid-tight connection with said chamber, said body having a bottom edge defining substantially the hair margin of the head, a recessed housing around said bottom edge, a head-engageable member normally retracted within said recess, and fluid pressure expansible means in said housing to move said member into engagement with the head to confine the heat tosaid chamber, body and hair.

8. An attachment for the heat circulating chamber of a hair drier, comprising a body provided with a seal ring for effecting a fluid-tight connection with said chamber, said body having a bottom edge defining substantially the margin of the hair, a recessed housing around said bottom edge, a flexible container in said housing having a compressible member, and means to inflate said container to project said compressible member through the recess of said housing and into contact with the head to prevent the egress of heat past the hair.

9. An attachment for the heat circulating chamber of a standard hair drier, comprising a body having a seal ring whereby said body may be connected to said chamber in fluid-tight engagement, a member associated with said body at the outer edge thereof and encircling the hair line, and pneumatic means for projecting said member inwardly relative to said body and into contact with the head to prevent the egress of heat past the hair.

10. A drier for hair on the head comprising a casing for circulating a heating fluid therein and having an open end, an annular hollow member connected to said casing adjacent its open end, an inflatable tube within said member, fluid pressure means to inflate said tube, and a resilient annular shield within said casing and actuated by said tube, said shield being movable into contact with the head so as to seal the heating fluid against egress between the head and the casing.

ALEXANDER NEWMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 809,360 Dible Jan. 9, 1906 2,037,695 Brownlee et a1 Apr. 21, 1936 2,214,017 Ehrlich Sept. 10, 1940 2,221,822 Tays Nov. 19, 1940 2,377,794 Lobelle June 5, 1945 2,416,788 Andrews Mar. 4, 1947 2,424,502 Polite July 22, 1947 

